DeSantis holds 2 press conferences Monday regarding state’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout

Gov. Ron DeSantis held a second press conference Monday to update the state’s response to the coronavirus and the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, which has been slower than expected. So far, only a few thousand people have received the vaccine in a state of 23 million people.

The second one took place at Jackson Memorial Hospital.

You can watch a replay of the second one below or by clicking here.

The governor also held a press conference Monday morning in Seminole County.

Speaking from Orlando Health South Seminole Hospital in Longwood, he started the press conference by saying Orlando Health would begin vaccinations there at seven sites this week.

In his news conferences, DeSantis said he would be bringing in more people to help with vaccine distribution. Hopefully, that will mean the vaccines will get to more people.

He wants every hospital to submit plans on how to vaccinate its community. “Hospitals that don’t do a good job of getting it out will have their vax given to another hospital,” DeSantis said.

Cheryl Ferrara is still waiting for her first COVID-19 vaccine. “I was hoping that after a few days, it might not be quite as crazy.”

Harry Scott from Collier County says he got up at 4 a.m. and waited in a very long line to get his vaccine. “Everybody out there wants it; the sooner, the better.”

DeSantis also wants to study and find out if it’s possible to convert testing sites like CenturyLink into vaccination sites.

“They certainly have to have a facility. The facility has to be equipped to handle the volumes of people,” Scott said.

Angela Smith works with DOH-Lee County. “At this time we haven’t received any information that CenturyLink would be repurposed for vaccinations.”

Florida is also working on getting 1,000 more nurses to help administer the shots, and the governor wants to work with churches in underserved communities so that no one is left behind.

Ferrara says more help is still needed as she’s still hasn’t received her first shot. “Anything to move this forward. I know that everybody has been working really hard. It’s been so stressful for those of us who have been waiting.”

Lee Health says it’s a work in progress where the state is concerned. As for converting CenturyLink, the site manager is still waiting for direction from the state. But, he’s ready when the time comes.

You can watch a replay of the Orlando Health press conference below or by clicking here.